On behalf of Aktion Mensch, PD Dr. Jan-Hinrik Schmidt and Milena Braun investigated how people with disabilities perceive social cohesion in Germany and the role they believe the media plays in it. The study allows for a comparison with the general population and reveals that people with disabilities experience less social cohesion, despite being more likely to participate in politics and volunteer work. Their evaluations of public media, private broadcasters, and social media differ more widely than those of the general population.
Perceptions of Media Offerings Are Very Different
People with disabilities generally trust our social institutions more than the general population does. Two-thirds of them trust public media, compared to 60% of the general population. Notable exceptions to this higher level of trust are private television and radio stations (33% versus 41%) and social media (12% versus 17%).
This negative perception is reflected in how much social media contributes to social cohesion. Here, social media ranks last among people with disabilities. Only 17% see a high or very high contribution compared to 36% of the general population.
Less Targeted Content, More Discrimination
These differences may occur because private television and radio stations do not prioritize non-discriminatory language. Unlike public broadcasters, they are also less likely to provide accessible content, such as captions or plain language news. Consequently, people with disabilities perceive these services as less accessible and reliable. People with disabilities also face discrimination more frequently, particularly on social media.
Cohesion in the Digital Community
Yet, digital spaces also hold potential for this group. In nearly all areas, people with disabilities perceive less cohesion than the general population. Even within their families and circles of friends—where a sense of cohesion is strongest—only two-thirds report somewhat or very strong cohesion; among the general population, the figure is more than three-quarters. Significant differences also exist in clubs, at work, and in the neighborhood. People with disabilities experience slightly more social cohesion only in digital spaces. However, this applies to fewer than 20 percent of respondents in both groups (19 percent compared to 17 percent). Digital spaces offer more opportunities for younger people with disabilities to find and participate in a community with fewer barriers.
Further Findings
The study reveals additional differences. For instance, people with disabilities are more likely than the general population to participate in politics and volunteer work, especially at the local level and through petitions. This above-average level of engagement may be due to the fact that they are more frequently required to advocate for their rights as a marginalized group, and social issues have a particularly significant impact on their daily lives.
Compared to the general population, more people with disabilities view social cohesion in Germany as being at risk (89% vs. 79%), and they are even more dissatisfied with the current state of democracy in Germany (only 29% are somewhat or very satisfied, compared to 34% of the general population). One possible explanation is that they experience discrimination and exclusion more frequently in their daily lives.
Insights from a Marginalized Group
Social cohesion is a key prerequisite for a vibrant democracy. However, many people with disabilities encounter barriers and exclusion in many aspects of their daily lives. This is precisely why their perspectives on social cohesion are so insightful.
This study is part of the work conducted by the Research Institute Social Cohesion. The Hamburg Section of the institute, located at the HBI, investigates the role that media and communication play in social cohesion.
Methodology of the Study
Commissioned by ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio 2025, the HBI conducted the “Social Cohesion Study” to investigate social cohesion among the general population. PD Dr. Jan-Hinrik Schmidt and Milena Braun compared selected topics from the study from the perspective of people with disabilities. For this purpose, the same questions were answered by participants in the “Participation Community,” an online survey panel in Germany designed specifically for people with disabilities by Aktion Mensch and the research institute Ipsos.
Link to the complete study on the Aktion Mensch website (only in German).
Image: iStock/AnnaStills